Do you think that William Shakespeare was a homosexual in his time, during the Renaissance? If so, why?

Answer 1

Do you think it really matters? All I know is that he was one of the wisest and most creative people of all time. He had a better grasp on the characteristics of human nature well before Freud was even born. His works have "meat" to them, something you can sink your brain into. Why is anyone else's sexual preference so important to others? Would you ban Shakespeare's writings from your school if you discovered that he was gay? Would you forbid your children to study his plays or sonnets?

I liked it better when I was young and some people were just "sissy" or "tomboy". We didn't think about the sexuality of our favorite movie stars, entertainers or writers.

I'm sorry if you're doing your doctoral dissertation on the subject or something. This is just one of my pet peeves.

Answer 2

Suggestions that Shakespeare was homosexual usually stem from his sonnets to one of his patrons, a young man. However, in essence Shakespeare wrote sonnets for cash - it is how he survived while the London theatres were closed. Therefore, his poems were written with the specific aim of pleasing the individual. Therefore, he would write a 'homoerotic' poem for a patron who was gay etc.

Despite this, I think the line between homosexuality and heterosexuality would have been more blurred than it is today. The 'highest' form of love was believed possible only between two men - not man and wife. Also male friends (especially best friends) commonly shared beds (and they were pretty small by today's standards).

At the end of the day, I think it is unlikely . He certainly had a wife and children, and letters survive which indicate his popularity with the ladies.

Answer 3

I don't think so. Not really. A lot of his plays, sonnets are dedicated to women....though he occasionally did have an infatuation with young men. Though in that era it was O-K to compliment a guy....not like it is today of course.
Actually a rather semi-famous author, Oscar Wilde, went through the same. Married a women and had "flings" with men.

Answer 4

I don't think he was, but on the other hand I just don't know that much about his personal life.
I just know that I love to read Shakespeare because it has just about every human element possible and the beautiful symphony of his writings are beyond gender mystery or concern. His gender preference is of no more interest than curiosity or consequence and I'm not sure I even want to know.
Thanks

Answer 5

No - - - by the modern definition of a homosexual - - - not actively leading a 'gay' lifestyle, simply living life and doing what one wants. In an otherwise oppresive era, Elizabethans were allowed to exist without labels.

Peace....

Answer 6

Based on what we know -- no. He also wasn't Queen Elizabeth, Christopher Marlow, James the King of Scots, or a wise alien from outer space come to give us Great Literature.

Jokes aside, what we know about his life tends to suggest that sex wasn't very high on his list of priorities.

Answer 7

If he was then bisexual would be a more accurate label since he had a wife and children. However, not much is known about his personal life so it would be unfounded speculation to hypothesize that he was.

Answer 8

I think he was bisexual - based on the fact that he wrote several of his love sonnets to a young man. Pax - C

Answer 9

No, there were no women actresses in those days. Having men play women roles was the norm.

Answer 10

Why does it matter?
Labels are for soup cans!
Does it change what he wrote if he preffered to have sex with men or women? Not one bit.